Boys Soccer: Chapal goal sends Clifton High School past Don Bosco 2-1

CLIFTON -- In what amounted to a taste of the postseason, Clifton boys' soccer team took its game to an elite level.

"We wanted to make history today ... and we did," an elated senior defender Jermain Hernandez said.

Hernandez played a vital role Tuesday afternoon when the Mustangs edged Don Bosco Prep, 2-1, at Athenia Steel Recreation Complex. It had been at least three years since the Mustangs beat their rivals from Bergen County.

Even Clifton coach Fred Bido, showing the emotional brain drain from winning the county semifinal match on Saturday, sensed this was a special win.

"These boys pushed themselves and I to victory. The seniors had never beaten Don Bosco in the three previous years and really wanted it. I can't say enough about this team. They never gave up, even when were down 1-0 and played with confidence. Today gave them joy and a sense of accomplishment," Bido said.

It was a clinical finish and a sequence that defined the Mustangs' selfless play in recent weeks.

Hernandez gained possession and went down the left channel before hitting a left-footed cross that eluded the defender tightly marking Justin Olaya. Once in the clear, Olaya flicked the ball past Mike Nemcik, who got his glovetips on it before creeping over the goal line.

"I've been practicing hard on finishing," said Olaya, who netted his 12th goal of the season.

Bosco continued to press for a second goal but Clifton's backline was up for the challenge.

"It's great having supportive players," sophomore sweeper Lucas Lech said. "Every one is responsible and today they all stepped up."

Clifton's counterattack and Prep's messy defending led to the match-winner.

Brandon Bisset's foul gave the Mustangs a free kick from 30 yards. Danny Hernandez sent a long set-piece into the area, where Lech headed to Luis Chapal, who poked in the ball past Nemcik with 19 minutes left.

"I guess I was at the right place at the right time," said Chapal, smiling.

The Ironmen turned up the pressure in the final 15 minutes, sending several long balls into the area. A Ryan Gallagher free kick from distance found Mike Haggelson's head at the far left post, but Clifton keeper Jonathan Diaz (five saves) snatched the bullet in the 66th minute.

To the death, the Ironmen tried to squeeze out another goal and nearly did less than three minutes from full-time. Sam Jankun shot from distance was mishandled by Diaz but he quickly covered the spilled ball inches from the line.

"They represent the future of Clifton soccer. They are both good in the air, hard workers and are making noise as young players," he said.

Last week, the Ironmen lost to De Paul Catholic, 1-0, in a Big North Conference United Division match, but bounced back to eliminate Northern Highlands by the same score in the Bergen County Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday.

"Don Bosco are a quality team," Bido said.

The Mustangs moved within three victories of recording a perfect season in the Liberty Division on Oct. 11. Diaz was the hero, stopping all five shots on-target in a 5-0 victory over Eastside in Paterson.

The Mustangs will need that depth with the regular season is down to four matches. Clifton can run their record perfect in nine division fixtures on Tuesday when neighboring rivals Passaic visits and then it's off to West Milford on Thursday. Both matches start at 4 p.m. Clifton played at Bergen Tech yesterday.

Bido said, matches with Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley won't be made up. That's okay because the state tournament cutoff is Saturday, meaning teams need at least a .500 record to qualify. The Mustangs aren't in any danger but hope to pile up enough power points to receive a favorable seed in the Group 4, North Jersey Section 1 playoffs, which begin at the month's end.

Last year, the Mustangs were eliminated in the quarterfinals by West Orange. In 2010, the Mountaineers ousted Clifton in the sectional final.

Boys Soccer: Chapal goal sends Clifton High School past Don Bosco 2-1

CLIFTON -- In what amounted to a taste of the postseason, Clifton boys' soccer team took its game to an elite level.

"We wanted to make history today ... and we did," an elated senior defender Jermain Hernandez said.

Hernandez played a vital role Tuesday afternoon when the Mustangs edged Don Bosco Prep, 2-1, at Athenia Steel Recreation Complex. It had been at least three years since the Mustangs beat their rivals from Bergen County.

Even Clifton coach Fred Bido, showing the emotional brain drain from winning the county semifinal match on Saturday, sensed this was a special win.

"These boys pushed themselves and I to victory. The seniors had never beaten Don Bosco in the three previous years and really wanted it. I can't say enough about this team. They never gave up, even when were down 1-0 and played with confidence. Today gave them joy and a sense of accomplishment," Bido said.

It was a clinical finish and a sequence that defined the Mustangs' selfless play in recent weeks.

Hernandez gained possession and went down the left channel before hitting a left-footed cross that eluded the defender tightly marking Justin Olaya. Once in the clear, Olaya flicked the ball past Mike Nemcik, who got his glovetips on it before creeping over the goal line.

"I've been practicing hard on finishing," said Olaya, who netted his 12th goal of the season.

Bosco continued to press for a second goal but Clifton's backline was up for the challenge.

"It's great having supportive players," sophomore sweeper Lucas Lech said. "Every one is responsible and today they all stepped up."

Clifton's counterattack and Prep's messy defending led to the match-winner.

Brandon Bisset's foul gave the Mustangs a free kick from 30 yards. Danny Hernandez sent a long set-piece into the area, where Lech headed to Luis Chapal, who poked in the ball past Nemcik with 19 minutes left.

"I guess I was at the right place at the right time," said Chapal, smiling.

The Ironmen turned up the pressure in the final 15 minutes, sending several long balls into the area. A Ryan Gallagher free kick from distance found Mike Haggelson's head at the far left post, but Clifton keeper Jonathan Diaz (five saves) snatched the bullet in the 66th minute.

To the death, the Ironmen tried to squeeze out another goal and nearly did less than three minutes from full-time. Sam Jankun shot from distance was mishandled by Diaz but he quickly covered the spilled ball inches from the line.

"They represent the future of Clifton soccer. They are both good in the air, hard workers and are making noise as young players," he said.

Last week, the Ironmen lost to De Paul Catholic, 1-0, in a Big North Conference United Division match, but bounced back to eliminate Northern Highlands by the same score in the Bergen County Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday.